Q: Woden, TX? Where is that?
A: Woden is a small farming community of 1500 people approximately 8 miles from Nacogdoches, TX.
Q: Why Woden?
A: Stacey's family lives near Woden in Melrose where her father is an elected official representing the area, and she and her family are long-standing members of Woden Baptist Church.
Q: Naca what?
A: Nacogdoches (Nack-uh-do-chez), named after an indian and yes, it is the location of the space shuttle Columbia debris.
Q: Nacogdoches, TX? Where is that?
A: Nacogdoches is in East-Central Texas and is approximately 150 miles north of Houston on US-59, and 120 miles WSW of Shreveport, LA.
Q: So why do you keep referring everything as to Nacogdoches?
A: Nacogdoches is the most known place in the immediate area. It has accomodations and food.
Q: So, are there hotels in Nacogdoches to stay in?
A: Yes, there are quite a few, but they will fill up quickly due to a church conference in Lufkin (20 miles away) and a Blueberry Festival in Nacogdoches.
Q: What are some of the approximate driving distances? (Distances by Yahoo Maps)
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Town |
Distance to Nacogdoches (mi.) |
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Woden, TX |
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Lufkin, TX |
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Tyler, TX |
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Shreveport, LA |
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Houston, TX (Bush Intercontinental Airport) |
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Houston, TX |
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Galveston, TX |
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Dallas, TX (DFW Airport) |
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Little Rock, AR |
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Jackson, MS |
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Birmingham AL |
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Cullman, AL |
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Lansing. MI |
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Los Angeles, CA |
|
Q: So, where was this place in Michigan that Stacey was moving to?
A: Okemos (pronounced Oak-uh-muss) is a small bedroom community (pop. 30,000) in Meridian Township, MI which is 10 miles east of Lansing, MI. Most of the residents are professionals who work in the Lansing area, General Motors managment, Michigan State University staff, or well-to-do Michigan State students. See the link on Relocation.
Q: So, where are you moving now?
A: Stephen's new job is located on the AL/MS/TN border in a small Mississippi town called Iuka (eye-you' kuh). Iuka is pretty small (pop. <5000) and thus we are moving to the next town of any size which is Florence, AL. Florence is located in NW Alabama and is surrounded by three other towns (Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia) in an area referred to as the Shoals or the Quad Cities. Total population of the area is approximately 100,000 which is about 40-45% of the size of Lansing. The Shoals is home to Ivy Green (Helen Keller Birthplace), the W.C. Handy Museum, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the University of North Alabama.
Q: I don't understand, I thought Stephen was from Michigan, Alabama, Mississippi, ...?
A: Stephen was raised in Cullman, AL; spent one year in school at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN; completed his engineering degree in Starkville, MS at Mississippi State University. After college, he returned to Alabama for two years and then took a similar job in Lansing, MI. Confused yet???
Q: There are plenty of engineering jobs in Texas, why hasn't Stephen moved to Texas?
A: Not all engineering jobs are the same. Many engineering jobs in Austin are electrical/computer engineering jobs, likewise many engineering jobs in Houston are petroleum related. Stephen has a mechanical engineering degree, but has worked as a project/R&D engineer building composite jet engine components since completion of college. Those jobs are few and far between to start with, and in Texas, the majority of the companies who do that type work are not hiring due to the fallout from 9/11. Currently, the main two locations for that type work is in the Midwest or New England.
Also, forget your pre-conceived notions about Michigan, it's a wonderful place. Outside of Detroit, Michigan is nowhere near what most people imagine with vast farms and scenic views and drives along the coasts of 4 of the Great Lakes. If you like lighthouses, Michigan has over 100 of them. If you like beaches and dunes, head towards the shorelines of Lake Michigan or Lake Superior. Like snow, we get plenty of it - anywhere from 50" - 250" per year dependent on location. Middle of July and 90 degrees, it doesn't get any hotter than this...